It wasn't the best effort that one could have hoped for when Texas A&M opened the 2006 season with a 35-3 win over The Citadel, but it was something that the Dennis Franchione era hasn't seen with regularity - an opening day win.

In fact, the Aggies have lost on opening day the last two seasons (both on the road against Clemson and Utah) with the only win coming against Arkansas State in 2003.

But even in the win over the Bulldogs, the Aggies showed they have a lot of work left to do.

The defense surrendered more yards to The Citadel than the Bulldogs gained all last season against Division I-A opponents (Florida State and Mississippi State). But at the end of the day it's the points on the board that matter, not the yards, and The Citadel only scored three.

Obviously, the Aggies are going to surrender more points this season, but if they can keep their opponents at bay on the scoreboard it isn't going to matter how many yards they surrender.